Kalmyk Cultural Heritage Project (CLAN RITUALS)

Although separated territorially from the rest of the Mongolian world, contemporary Kalmyks continue to practice customs common among other Mongolian groups, including various rituals that preserve and perpetuate kinship links. The main aim of clan rituals is to preserve and consolidate kinship groups not only by worshiping the clan or local deities, appeasing ancestors, and cleansing native land but also by engaging all clan or family members in the ritual. Clan rituals are often performed by inviting a Buddhist monk or a ritual specialist (medlgch) who reads mantras, prayers, and gives advice.